By John Clifford Lintao
AN elderly got the shock of his life upon learning that he has been listed as dead in the roster of members of the embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
Efren Aguilar said that he only got to learn of his “death” when he accompanied their household helper for some laboratory test last August 21. According to Aguilar, records tend to show that he “died” on September 15, 2016.
“Actually, nanlamig ako no’ng sinabing ‘Patay na kayo e’. Wala akong nasabing words siguro no’ng mga first few minutes noong pagkabigay sa ‘kin no’ng papel,” Aguilar said.
“Sabi ko, ‘Bakit nagka gano’n?’ Tinatanong ko sarili ko, ‘Ilan kaya kami na ginanito? Hindi lang siguro ako nag-iisa, marami kami nito,’” lamented Aguilar as he wondered who received the death benefits intended for the family of a deceased PhilHealth member.
Aguilar added that the last time he availed of his PhilHealth benefits was in 2012.
“Balak ko talaga magpunta ng PhilHealth para ayusin ‘to kasi anytime, lalo na at my age, I’ll be needing my PhilHealth, ‘di ba?” he said.
The state insurer has since apologized for the error.
“Una, humihingi kami ng paumanhin kay Mr. Aguilar sa naging pagkakamali sa kaniyang record,” PhilHealth corporate communication senior manager Rey Balena said.
“Ang nangyari po ay maaaring may nagkaroon ng pagkakamali sa tagging ng data… Maaari rin na encoding error ‘yan. Ano’t anuman, mayroon tayong paraan at solusyon para maitama ‘yan,” he assured.
He also urged other PhilHealth members to report similar errors to the agency.
PhilHealth has come under fire over the past weeks over corruption allegations that included some 20,000 fraudulent claims.